steve handelsman joins us live with reaction to this big change. hi, steve. >> jim, thanks. good afternoon from the hill. we're looking for reaction, a lot of eyes talking to tough-talking war hero senator john mccain, who said allowing women in combat units is the right thing to do. for women like these, in boot camp at parris island, the change will open up more than 200,000 jobs that had only been available to mental. no changes will be made in toughness or strength standards for women. >> if they can meet the qualifications for the job, then they should have the right to serve. >> reporter: defense secretary leone panetta pointed out 150 women have been killed in combat, serving in iraq and afghanistan with men. >> they're fighting and dying together. and the time has come for our policies to recognize that reality. >> reporter: women can move immediately to medium-sized combat brigades as pilots, medics and the like. small front line combat platoons will not be open to women, maybe for years until commanders can propose specific units that might remain men only, like th